Community

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of innovators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Search current members and alumni by year awarded, sector or region.

David Aikman

Co-Founder and Chairman, OpenESG, Switzerland

David is a Co-Founder and Chairman of OpenESG, a company that uses Generative AI to democratise ESG, connect people & brands around shared values, and help businesses make positive impact. He has proven leadership experience in creating innovative partnerships between companies and non-profit organisations, that create sustainable, shared value on a global scale. Over the last 25+ years, working for the International Olympic Committee and the World Economic Forum, David has created, curated, and led innovative communities that have changed the world for the better including the Forum of Young Global Leaders (2007-2015), the Global Shapers (2011-2015), the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (2012-2015), the Technology Pioneers and the Global Growth Companies. From 2015-2021 David was Chief Representative Officer of the World Economic Forum in Greater China. In his spare time, David collects bad Dad Jokes, Scottish single malts, and Chinese contemporary art.

Wadia Ait Hamza

Senior Advisor, NA, Switzerland

With over twenty years of experience in international relations and community building, Wadia has worked at the intersection of international cooperation and development, public affairs, building communities, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Wadia has helped build multi-stakeholder collaborations on climate and the environment, digital inclusion, mental health, education & Skills and COVID-19 response and recovery.

Wadia is known as a passionate servant leader and coach, leveraging business and technical acumen to generate solutions for complex issues. Specialises in championing strategic initiatives to deliver effective results, participating in critical decision-making processes while working proactively with cross-functional teams to drive positive change.

Wadia was the Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum where he was responsible for the Forum´s engagement with young leaders – managing a community of more than 1,400 members and alumni. Previously to that, he was the Head of the Global Shapers Community and under his leadership, it has expanded to 500 cities, with local projects benefiting millions of people.

Wadia is a past United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Fellow, Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leader, World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow, Tariq Ibn Ziyad Initiative Awardee and selected among the 15 under 40 that are shaping the "International Geneva". He is also a featured author on Forbes and the World Economic Forum Agenda.

Anulika Ajufo

Venture Partner, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Sagana, United Kingdom

A vibrant and inspirational leader in Finance and Philanthropy with extensive experience in investments in both public and private sector markets from some of the world's largest Financial Institutions- Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Carlyle Group and Soros Fund. For over a decade, Anulika has developed extensive experience globally, notably in the fields of private equity and venture capital investing. She believes in the ability to drive change at scale through socially and environmentally oriented business having led inclusive investment portfolios across EMEA with sectoral focus across financial inclusion, renewables, healthcare, education and widening access to other basic services for marginalised populations. Her philanthropic work with young people in the United Kingdom over the past 15 years has also gained widespread recognition. As an advocate for economic justice and social mobility, she currently Chairs the Board of University of East London- London's most diverse and inclusive university by race and socioeconomic status. She is also the Founder of the Sequoia Platform- a social mobility engine for ethnic minority and disadvantaged youth in the United Kingdom, geared towards creating educational and employment opportunities in the United Kingdom. Anulika has an MEng in Medical Engineering from Queen Mary University of London and an MSc in Law and Finance from the University of Oxford.

Ali Akhai

Chairman, Martin Dow, Pakistan

As an initiative-driven leader, Ali believes in the significance of diverse business, technological innovation, and talent, ready to lead impact with a desire to improve human well-being. He is recognized as the face of the Martin Dow Group and has received praise for his in-depth knowledge of numerous facets of the pharmaceutical industry.

After completing his Bachelor of Science business graduate degree (BSc) from Brunel University in the UK, he proceeded to further his education with a double Master's degree. He holds a Master of Science in Global Business from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in International Business Development & Consulting from Novancia Business School in France.

He joined the Martin Dow Group of Companies in 2016 after completing a structured orientation program in Marketing, Finance, Business Development, Human Resources, and Regulatory Affairs. In 2017, he assumed the role of Business Development Lead, launching eight new products. By October 2018, he succeeded his father to be the next Chairman of the Martin Dow Group.

Ali is playing an essential role in shaping the future of the Martin Dow Group, carrying on his father's vision by guiding the group's foray into further diversification through successful strategic acquisitions and flexible technologies.

Besides dedicating his time to grow the business, Ali is deeply involved in Philanthropic endeavors, he has taken on roles in 3 leading Healthcare institutions. He is the Core Committee Member of the Shaukat Khanum Karachi Project, a Member of the Fund-Raising Committee at The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) and a Trustee at the Memon Health & Education Foundation supporting and ensuring free quality healthcare service.

With his impeccable leadership, he is now expanding the Martin Dow Group’s worldwide partnerships, talent development, and industry influence.

Rina Akimoto

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vivid Garden Inc, Japan

Rina Akimoto is Founder and CEO of Vivid Garden Inc., a start-up founded in 2016, operating Japan's largest online farm-to-table marketplace, Tabechoku. The company's mission is to recognize the dedication of producers for their products, inspired by the experience of her family's agricultural business closure in her youth. Since its launch in 2017, Tabechoku has grown into a trusted platform with over 9,000 socially driven producers and over 1 million users across the country. The service has empowered producers in farm, fishery and other sectors to set fair prices and deliver rich stories, by directly connecting with users. Such connections foster customer loyalty and reduce food waste by adding value to non-market standard yet unique crops and products. Akimoto graduated from Keio University.

Rafat Al-Akhali

Fellow of Practice, Strategic Projects, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Rafat is a thought leader and practitioner passionate about addressing political and economic challenges in situations of fragility and conflict. He has over 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors in Yemen and internationally, including in senior government positions. Since 2016, Rafat has been a fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford where he has led the school’s multiple initiatives in the field of state fragility including the LSE-Oxford Commission on State Fragility, the Council on State Fragility, and the DFI Fragility Forum. He has previously served as Minister of Youth and Sports in the Government of Yemen, and prior to that was leading the Policy Reforms team at the Executive Bureau for Acceleration of Aid Absorption and Support for Policy Reforms.

Rafat has successfully led multiple large-scale social and economic research studies in Yemen, and is an advisor to Yemeni and international stakeholders on political, peace building, and economic issues in Yemen. He previously held senior positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM in Canada.

Rafat earned his second Master degree in Public Policy (MPP) at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, UK. His first Master degree was in Business Administration (MBA) from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) Montréal, Canada.

Malak Jehad Al Akiely

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Golden Wheat for Grain Trading Ltd, Jordan

Malak Al Akiley is Founder and Managing Director of Golden Wheat for Grain Trading, Ltd., represent international Grain Trading companies in Jordan. She is the sole young female owner of such company in the MENA region with over ten years of experience in agricultural commodities trading with focus on food security.she has become the official liaison for worldwide grain international companies

Malak is co-Partner in Golden Kayan for Marketing Consulting Co. for Oil, Energy & Renewable Energy.

Adviser and MENA development Manager for Swiss Co. Cerealia Co. Blockchain platform for Agri-commodities Trading and Financing.

Have been selected as one of the top ten young persons of the world by Junior Chamber International (JCI) in August 2019

Founding Member in FutureTalks, Norway and went to the Arctic Expedition with 100 brilliant people from all sectors and all continents, exploring the Arctic and engaging in the most important discussions of our time which made her the first Jordanian women to cross 80 degrees' north pole.

Founding Member of Jordan Economic Forum, a forum consist of prominent economic figures & parliament members to foster economic growth and moving towards the objectives of sustainable development.

Partner and Business Development consultant on Oil and Aviation investment projects in East Africa.

Have been selected by U.S. Deparment of States, United States of America to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program, “Entrepreneurship as the Engine of Prosperity and Stability: Women Fostering Economic Security.

She was also the youngest member of both the Public Financial Policies Committee, Economic Committee for Jordan’s Vision 2021 in his Excellency Dr.Talal Abu Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum.

Malak is the Manager and Director of "Women BeeBuzzers" project in Jordan, Women BeeBuzzers, is a project that aims to introduce beekeeping as a secondary and main source of income for women in rural areas in Jordan.

Sarah Al Amiri

Minister of State for Public Education and Future Technology, Government of United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates

Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology. Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency.

Nabeel M. Al-Amudi

Chief Executive Officer, Olayan Financing Company, Saudi Arabia

HE Nabeel Al-Amudi is the CEO of the Olayan Financing Company which is one of the largest, family-owned business in the Middle East. Formerly, he was the Minister of Transport for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2017 to 2019. Prior to that, the was the President and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Port Authority from 2015 to 2017. Before moving into government, HE had a distinguished career at Saudi Aramco in the legal field, as the head of the long-range planning and finally as the President of Saudi Aramco's subsidiary in North America. He is currently the Chairman of Mobily (2nd largest mobile operator in the KSA) and the board of Trustees of the Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and a board member on the Olayan Saudi Holding Company. He has served and chaired a number of boards including, Saudi Aramco, Hapag-Lloyd, Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Services Company, Saudi Arabian Railway Company, United Arab Shipping Company, Tabadul and Aramco Services Company.

Nabeel has a JD from Harvard Law School and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University. He also completed Stanford Business Executive Program in 2009. He is a member of the NY State Bar.

Abdelmalek Alaoui

Chief Executive Officer, Guepard Group, Morocco

Abdelmalek Alaoui is an Economist, a Best-Selling Author and the Founding CEO of Guepard Group (www.guepardgroup.com ).
During his career, he has served over 100 missions for top African and European clients, including S&P 500 and CAC40 firms as well as Government leaders. M. Alaoui also elaborated several government sectorial strategies.
He is featured regularly in “La Tribune” and “Forbes” as a columnist. The World Economic Forum of Davos named Mr Alaoui one of its Young Global Leader (class of 2015). His latest book “Le Temps du Maroc” (2021), is the Best-Selling Book in Morocco for this Year. His previous Book “Le Temps du Continent” (2017) addressing the issue of Africa’s development, received the Turgot Award for best Economics book of the year on march2018. Mr Alaoui is a graduate from Sciences Po Paris in Political Sciences and holds an MBA from HEC Paris. On an associative level, he is the Chairman of one of Morocco’s leading Liberal Think Tanks, Institut Marocain d’Intelligence Stratégique (www.imis.ma). Since the end of 2020, he is a member of the Strategy Group on Digital of the Africa-EuropeFoundation (https://www.africaeuropefoundation.org/ ).

Shihana Alazzaz

Appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia, Shihana Alazzaz is Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers. Previously, she held the role of General Counsel at PIF and Secretary of the PIF Board of Directors from 2018. Alazzaz, an honours graduate in law from Durham University, has professional experience with law firms Baker McKenzie and Vinson and Elkins.

Nesreen M. Al Barwari

Country Representative, Adviser and Consultant, Friends of Waldorf Education, Iraq

Dr. Nesreen Barwari is Chief Executive Officers of KWS for Education, Learning and Capacity Development, and Founder and President of Breezes of Hope. Barwari was Minister of Municipalities and Public Works in the Government of Iraq from 2003 to 2006, and the only and first woman appointed to a ministerial position in Iraq after the regime change in 2003. Prior, she was Minister of Reconstruction and Development in the Kurdistan Regional Government. Her professional career started in 1991 with UNHCR and continued with several UN agencies from 1991 to 1998. In recognition of her work, the United Nations awarded her a UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2003. The Arab League also honoured her with a distinction in public participation in 2004 as one of the top 10 distinguished women from the Arab world. Barwari earned her undergraduate degree in Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning from Baghdad University. Her graduate studies, in Public Policy and Management, were completed at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. She has a PhD in Political Sciences with focus on Development Planning from Dortmund University.